October TBR

OCtober WRap up

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Wow! I can’t believe October is almost over!! I had a lot of fun this month and was able to get in more reading than I anticipated. Can’t wait for y’all to see what I read this for month!

Ace: What Asexuality Reveals About Desire, Society, and The Meaning of Sex by Angela Chen
Genre: Non-Fiction, LGBT, Sexuality
Review: Here

Rating: 5/5

Dead Voices by Katherine Arden
Genre: Middle Grade, Fiction, Horror
Review: Here

Rating: 4/5

Dagger Hill by Devon Taylor
Genre: Horror, Mystery, YA
Review: Here

Rating: 4/5

The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling
Genre: Contemporary, Fiction, Romance
Review: Here

Rating: 4/5

Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, YA
Review: Here

Rating: 3.5/5

Haunted Castles by Ray Russel
Genre: Horror, Fiction, Mystery
Review: Here

Rating: 4/5

Halloween Fiend by C.V. Hunt
Genre: Horror, Fiction, Novellas
Review: Here

Rating: 3.5/5

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
Genre: Horror, Fiction, Mystery
Review: Here

Rating: 4/5

Hollow Heathens: Tales of Weeping Willow by Nicole Fiorina
Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, Romance
Review: Here

Rating: 4/5

Goosebumps: One Day In Horrorland by R.L. Stine
Gerne: Horror, Fiction, Middle Grade
Review: Here

Rating: 4/5

Nightbooks by J.A. White
Genre: Middle School, Horror, Fiction
Review: Here

Rating: 4/5

Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell
Genre: LGBT, Romance, YA
Review: Here

Rating: 4/5

The Peculiar Incident on Shady Street by Lindsey Currie
Genre: Middle Grade, Fiction, Mystery
Review: Here

Rating: 4/5

The Saturday Night Ghost Club by Craig Davidson
Genre: Horror, Fiction, Fantasy
Review: Here

Rating: 4/5

Scritch Scratch by Lindsey Currie
Genre: Horror, Paranormal, Middle Grade
Review: Here

Rating: 4/5

Small Spaces by Katherine Arden
Genre: Middle Grade, Fiction, Horror
Review: Here

Rating: 4/5

Steelstriker by Marie Lu
Genre: Fantasy, Sci-Fi, YA
Review: Here

Rating: 4/5

The Witch of Halloween House by Jeff Degordick
Genre: Fiction, Horror, Mystery
Review: Here

Rating: 3.5

ACE

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“The label of asexual should be value neutral. It should indicate little more than sexual orientation. Instead, asexual implies a slew of other, negative associations: passionless, uptight, boring, robotic, cold, prude, frigid, lacking, broken. These, especially broken, are the words aces use again and again to describe how we are perceived and made to feel.”

This book was not only en-lighting but made me feel seen, heard, and validated in ways that I can’t even begin to explain. I had herd about this book from other people who had found touching and informative. I went into this book not expecting much but just wanting to learn more about asexuality and I ended up leaving with not only being more informed but being more empowered. From the time that I entered high school to a few years ago, I felt confused with my sexuality as I wasn’t sure if I liked both sexes or just one, or if I wasn’t interested in sex at all. I can always remember my friends talking about relationships and sex and it made me a bit uncomfortable because I just didn’t feel very interested in it. Because of that, I always felt misunderstood and bullied and it wasn’t until a few years ago when I started finding out more about asexuality that I finally felt like I found what I was looking for as a teenager.

This book really made me feel understood and I can only hope the same for others who are dealing with similar feelings like I had and not being sure if they are asexual. I think asexuality is very misunderstood and even though more information is being introduced, there is still a very long way to go. But, I felt the way it was written in the book was well done and not over the top in anyway. In addition to how it was written, I did enjoy the feminism aspect of it because as someone who is white, I’ve never considered or even thought about the unique struggles if you’re a POC or trans. I think that’s very important to include when talking about issues like sexuality as you can lack privilege in one area and make up for it another. It’s important to know and understand the issues that others face as it helps bring more awareness to certain issues. Overall, this was a very informative, empowering, validating, and excellent book so I highly recommend checking it out.

Enchantment of Ravens

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“Why do we desire, above all other things, that which has the greatest power to destroy us?”

An Enchantment of Ravens tells us the story of a young woman by the name of Isobel who is able to craft stunning portraits of her dangerous set of clients, the fair folk who are immortal who crave a terrible thirst for human craft. The fair folk trade valuable enchantments for Isobel’s paintings. But, what happens when Isobel makes a terrible mistake with her first royal client and paints mortal sorrow into his eyes, which expose something that he can’t be: weak. Livid with Isobel, he takes her to his kingdom for her to stand trial for her transgressions. But, all is not as it seems and soon Rook and Isobel find themselves on a journey that thrusts their relationship into a powerful alliance, one that could come at a cost as love is a forbidden emotion and violates the fair folk ruthless laws, thus rendering their lives forfeit. Isobel and Rook know the only way that could help is Isobel’s paintings, but can she conjure a painting powerful enough to defy the ancient magic of the fairy courts.

This was a reread for a readathon I’m doing and I feel like I was a bit disappointed in the reread. I read this a year ago and loved it and really bought into the hype of it and while it’s still very good, I do feel like the romance was a bit rushed. The plot was super interesting and found myself invested in the characters especially Rook and Isobel as they did have chemistry. Even though it was corny at times, I did enjoy how the story developed and Robinson has a way with words that really made me invested. I’m a sucker for good worldbuilding so that really helped with being invested throughout the book even with things that were miss for me. Overall, it was a good book but just wish the romance wasn’t as rushed as I felt it was. Go check it out if you think it’s up your alley!

Dagger Hill

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Dagger Hill tells the story fro four POV’s: Gabe, Kimberly, Sonya, and Charlie, the four friends are getting ready for their senior year and plan to spend their summers like they usually do at Dagger Hill. While, their parents don’t like the idea of Dagger Hill, the four best friends don’t see the problem s teenagers often feel like their parents worry too much. But, what starts out as relaxing and unwinding as they usually do, ends up throwing the four friends into an adventure that none of the expected to happen. It all started when a plane crashed landed at Dagger Hill with the four friends running into the woods as quickly as they can. When the dust finally clears up, the kids are taken to the hospital, well everyone except Kimberly and no one knows where she is. Can they find her before it’s too late?

What a spooky, entertaining, and thrilling read that tied Stranger Things into the story and it did that very well. I love the 80’s and Stranger Things is one of my favorite shows so this was super fun. The plot was very intriguing and wasn’t predictable so that’s always good cause it’s the worst when the plot sounds good from the outside but you get into it and it doesn’t live up the way you expected it to do. While I loved the writing and plot, I really enjoyed the characters and the dynamics between them as it felt real and relatable, they all had unique personalities which really helped drive the story! Overall, I enjoyed the book and if the plot sounds interesting to you, I highly recommend checking it out.

Middle Grade Halloween Round Up

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Here is the next middle grade round up!

Having survived sinister scarecrows and malevolent smiling man in small spaces, newly minted best friends, Ollie, Brian, & Coco are looking forward to a relaxing winter break skiing together with their parents at Mount Hemlock Ski Resort. But when a snowstorm hits the resort and strange things begin to happen, the three best friends soon find themselves thrust into a terrifying new adventure. The three along with Mr. Voland, a ghost hunter who arrived at the resort to investigate the haunting. The four of them must reach out to the dead voices and discover that not all dead voices can or should be trusted.

If Katherine Arden wrote a phone book, I would buy it. Her writing is truly magnificent and feels so real. What I love about this particular series is that it’s season themed. Small Spaces had autumn vibes where this book has winter vibes and she does a fantastic job adding that touch to it. You can feel the wintery vibe and I loved every minute of it. I love seeing Ollie and her friends on a new journey and I’ll be reading the third installment for this coming month. A truly great and fun series!!!

Tessa Woodward isn’t thrilled about moving to her new home in Chicago. She already knows she’s not going to like the rainy days and gloomy skies especially compared to her home in Florida. But soon a longing for home turns into fear and anxiety as mysterious events start happening in the house. Tessa’s not sure what is going on but when her brother’s doll starts crying real tears, she’s determined to find out what is really going on. With the help of her new friends, Tessa begins to uncover that not only is something or someone trying to speak to her but what it has to do with her.

What a spooky, creepy, and entertaining read! This is the second book that I’ve read by Currie and I really enjoy her writing as it really sets up the atmosphere and makes you hooked from the beginning.I really enjoyed Tessa as I thought she was a likable character and I loved the relationship she had with her parents and brother. It was very heartwarming and you could tell how much they love each other. This book was a lot of spooky fun that all ages will love!

The Ex Hex

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“I like how my job is the only one with any real threat of danger,” Gwyn said, but off Vivi’s look, she lifted her hands in defeat. “Okay, okay, Operation Soothe the Muggles, I’m on it.”

Nine years ago, Vivi Jones nursed her broken heart like any young witch would do. Bubble baths, crying, vodka, weepy music, and a curse on the terrible boyfriend and while Vivi knows she shouldn’t use her magic this way but with only an orchard hayride scented candle on hand, she isn’t too worried it will cause him anything more than a bad hair day. That is until Rhys Pennhallow, descendant of the town’s ancestors breaker of hearts, and just annoyingly gorgeous as he was always was returns to Groves Glen, Georgia. But when strange things begin happening whenever Rhys is around, Vivi realizes that her ex-hex may not have been so harmless at all.

This book was so much fun!!! I absolutely loved every minute of it. I had originally picked this for a readathon I’m in and wasn’t going to read until closer to the end of the month but changed my mind when another friend started reading it. It really reminds me of Bewitched and I think that’s part of the reason why I loved it so much. Bewitched was one of my favorite shows when I was little. But, Rhys and Vivi were my favorite part of the book. I really enjoyed the dynamics within their relationship and growth throughout the book. The aftermath of the break up was handled well with exploring the different emotions that both Rhys and Vivi were experiencing especially with being reunited with each other after nine years. Vivi and Rhys were very fun and interesting characters and I like how different yet similar they were.

Overall, this was a super fun and entertaining read with a strong plot and interesting characters so check it out!

middle Grade ROund Up: Halloween

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So, since I have read quite few middle grade Halloween books I’m reading this month I decided to group them together in one post cause the reviews won’t be that long. I’ll be doing three in a post each week and that should be good enough! They’re cute books and I do this every year cause it’s fun to go back to childhood with spooky reads and some of them have actually been quite good.

The story follows Luke and Lizzy Morris and their family as they arrive at Horrorland where terror becomes a reality at every turn. But, Luke and Lizzy don’t believe the rumors and think it’s just to entice people to visit the park. But when mysterious things began to happen, Luke and Lizzy find themselves coming face to face with the frightening realization that the rumors are true.

It’s been so long since I’ve read goosebumps so when I was planning my TBR for this month’s readathon, I wanted to see about revisiting these books. When I was young I was so into Goosebumps and Fear Street, I read them any chance I could so this was a fun trip down memory lane. It did make me laugh thinking about things that occurred in this book and how my younger self was so shocked with what I had read. But, it was still a fun read.

Claire has absolutely zero interest in the paranormal. She’s a scientist and she can’t think of anything worse than helping her dad on one of his Chicago themed ghost bus tours. She thinks she’s safe when she sees a young boy with sad face and dark eyes sitting in the back of the bus. But there’s something off with his presence and at the end of the bus tour, she can’t find him. She shrugs it off at first but when strange things start happening to her, she’s beginning to wonder if she’s being haunted. She needs to figure out what’s going on before it’s too late.

This is a fantastic middle grade story that blends Chicago history with spooky mystery and a fantastic friendship. Claire hasn’t had the best 7th grade as her dad’s ghost bus tour business has been embarrassing, the new girl is swooping in to steal her best friend, and she feels trapped. Even though I’m a lot older, I could feel Claire’s pain especially with losing a best friend to someone else. That’s never fun and I did find her a fun and unique character in addition the other characters and even with her dad. This is a really cute, spooky, and heartwarming tale that is bound to entertain readers of all ages.

This story follows, eleven year old Ollie who is trying to cope with a tragic loss and finds that books are her only solace. One of the books that Ollie finds is a mysterious and chilling tale that follows Beth and her two brothers who loved her and a peculiar deal they made with a sinister slender man who grants your timely wish for the ultimate price. Things get even more mysterious on a school trip where Ollie sees the graves of the very people she’s been reading about. On the way home, the bus breaks down and Ollie and two classmates heed the bus drivers warning to be careful and not venture into the woods.

This was actually a chilling and spooky tale which I give a lot of credit to Katherine Arden for. I would literally read anything she wrote cause her writing is so beautiful and captivating. This is debut middle grade novel and it was fantastic.This is a great introduction for middle grade readers who are looking for a spooky yet fun tale as it has everything you could want. Check it out if you want!

SteelStriker By Marie Lu

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“You live life, certain it will always stay this way, until it doesn’t.”

As a striker, Talin was taught loyalty is life. Loyalty to the shield who watch your back and to the strikers that risk their lives on the battlefield, and most of all to Mara, which was once the last nation free from the Karensa Federation’s tyranny. But, Mara has fallen and it’s destruction has unleashed Talin’s worst nightmare as her friends scattered from combat and her mother has been taken hostage by the premier. Talin does the unthinkable in order to save her friends, family, and her adopted home as she betrays them to become the federation’s most deadly war machine as their newest Skyhunter. A stranger in enemy land, Talin finds herself becoming friends with Red, who knows the cruelty firsthand done by federation but he knows that this isn’t over for Mara or Talin. The link between them may be weak but it might be the only way for them to salvage their past and safeguard their future.

Well, Marie Lu did it again. I’ve been waiting for this book to come out ever since I read the first book with was a rollercoaster journey of emotions and she didn’t dissappoint with the follow up. As it was delightful, fun, emotional, and gripping until the end and I was hoping it would be because I loved the first book. There’s so much that I love about this one but what really stands out to me are the characters and the writing. The characters felt so real, raw, and alive with emotion that you could really feel what they were going through and they were all interesting and unique in their own way. I love how Marie crafts her characters and she spends a lot of time with developing them and it shows in the writing and how they are described. I really love seeing Talin and Red’s perspectives and I found their relationship interesting and real and the dynamics between them throughout the book was great.

Marie really knows how to write really great antagonists as Premier Constantine wasn’t all bad. He had a story and through Talin’s perspective it really shows that he’s human which I loved because it’s interesting to have characters like that. I like that she really does flesh them out and make them complicated because when it’s just one sided, it’s not that interesting. The side characters were just as interesting and complicated as the main characters and that’s always something that I’ve loved with her writing as she really spends time and effort making her characters complicated yet so real with emotion.

I think this was a fantastic conclusion to the series. As much as I’d love to see more, I would prefer if she didn’t write a follow up as I felt everything got wrapped up really well. So if you’re a sci-fi, adventure or fantasy fan, I think you would like this!

Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell

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Deja, I don’t want October to be over. Because October means you.”


This was a pretty fun and easy read. I’ve read a few of Rowell’s books and enjoyed them so I decided to check read this for my TBR. The story follows, Deja and Joshia who are seasonable best friends as every autumn throughout high school, they work together at the same pumpkin patch. But this time, it will be different as this is their last year working together before they graduate high school and go their separate ways. The two had different ideas for how their last shift should end but both believe that it should end with an adventure.

The characters especially Deja were fun, interesting, and relatable and I loved the relationship between Deja and Joshia as it felt real. The plot was cute and the ending was super cute and I liked how things developed throughout the story. I found the romance pretty cute and believable and I’m glad that it wasn’t rushed. Super cute and fun story so if you’re looking for a short and easy read, this is for you!